Car and Auto Accidents

Who is Responsible in a Driverless Car Accident?

November 30, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

Driverless vehicles may be the new wave of auto technology, but they do not come without their own set of legal issues. According to Forbes, 41% of Google’s Waymo autonomous driving vehicles have already been involved in 32 accidents in the Mountain View area. As if driving in San Francisco was not challenging enough for human motorists, now we have another aspect to consider: driverless vehicles. If you have been injured in an accident involving a driverless vehicle, contact the car accident attorneys at Brod Law Firm today for a full and free consultation of your case.

Who is at Fault?

Who is at fault in a car accident involving an autonomous vehicle depends on a number of factors, such as whether the vehicle was fully autonomous or partially autonomous. In order to determine which parties may be at fault, it is important to evaluate the specific case at hand. However, below is a list of parties that may be at fault depending on the specific circumstances.

Three Things You Should Know About Common Carrier Liability in California

October 31, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

What is a Common Carrier?

In California, a common carrier is a transportation company that transports people, goods, or property around the state. A transportation company that wants to be labeled a common carrier must meet the following requirements:

The reason the transportation company was established was to transport people or goods from one place to another

Five Most Common Injuries Resulting From Car Accidents

October 26, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from obvious injuries like broken bones to not-so-obvious injuries like emotional distress. The five types of injuries below are the most common types of injuries resulting from car accidents. If you have been involved in a car accident and suffered from one of these injuries, contact an experienced Santa Rosa or San Francisco personal injury attorney immediately for a comprehensive analysis of your case.

Whiplash

Since most car accidents involve a jerking motion, either from front to back or from side to side, victims of car accidents often suffer from whiplash. As the name indicates, whiplash occurs when the head and neck “whip” back and forth or from side to side. This typically causes pain or stiffness in the neck or head region, or even total loss of motion. Depending on the severity of the whiplash suffered, a car accident victim can recover from whiplash naturally over time or require additional treatment to heal.

Who is Responsible in an Electric Scooter Accident?

October 17, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

Even though electric scooters (e-scooters), such as Bird, Lime, Jump, and Spin are still relatively new to urban streets, there have already been thousands of e-scooter accidents all across the country. You should always abide by California laws and practice safety while on the road, but sometimes accidents are unavoidable. If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident, whether as the rider or as a pedestrian, you may be wondering who is responsible for your injuries. That depends on who was at fault in the accident. The scenarios below outline some of the most common forms of e-scooter accidents and who is at fault and responsible in each scenario.

Who is Responsible in an Electric Scooter Accident?

Rider

Most Common Types of Electric Scooter Accidents in California

October 12, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

With the recent boom in electric scooter shares like Bird, Lime, Spin, and Jump in California comes a parallel boom in scooter accidents. E-scooter accidents can involve two scooters, a scooter and a pedestrian, or a scooter and a car. Whether you are riding an electric scooter or walking on the street, it is important to use extra caution and abide by California laws in order to avoid accidents. We have compiled a list of the most common types of electric scooter accidents in California, so you can take extra precautions to try to avoid becoming the next victim.

Scooter Malfunction

The most common cause of e-scooter accidents is scooter malfunction. With the huge number of riders daily, it is impossible for scooter share companies to inspect each scooter after each use. It is even questionable whether scooter companies that claim to inspect their scooters daily in fact do so. For example, the scooter share company Bird has stated in emails to customers that they perform no preventative work on the scooters and rely on customers to bring complaints about any scooter malfunction. This directly contradicts their public statements of daily inspecting each Bird scooter. Scooter malfunction can include brake failures, electric motor issues, handlebar collapses, flat tires, and much more.

What You Should do After Being Injured in a Hit And Run in California

September 21, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

The only thing worse than getting in a car accident is getting in a car accident and having the other driver drive off before you are able to get his or her information. In California, it is illegal to leave the scene of an accident before performing certain duties required of all Californians who are involved in an accident. If you have been involved in an accident, and the other driver leaves before you have the opportunity to get any information, contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible so that your attorney can help you investigate the case and seek the justice you deserve.

Hit and Run Laws in California

In California, a driver is required to remain at the scene of an accident, provide his or her contact information to the other driver, and wait for the police to arrive. If the driver leaves at any time before all of those events have taken place, the driver is said to have engaged in a hit and run. The only exception to this rule is if the driver left the scene in order to seek immediate medical attention, but even in those situations, it is still best practice to leave a contact name and phone number or address with the other driver before leaving the scene.

Three Things You Should Know if You Were the Victim of a Drunk Driving Accident

September 19, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

Over 30,000 people in California are seriously injured each year in alcohol and drug related car accidents, and 2,000 are killed. Unlike most car accidents, which are just that – accidents, drunk driving accidents are senseless, irresponsible, and can be easily prevented. That is why California has enacted strict laws to deter drunk driving accidents from happening and protect its residents from being victims to this senseless crime. If you were the victim of a drunk driving accident, familiarize yourself with the guidelines below and make sure you speak with an experienced car accident attorney immediately to learn more about your options for recovery.

California has a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving.

In California, if your blood alcohol level (BAC) is over 0.08, you are considered legally drunk. However, if you are under the age of 21 and have any alcohol inside your body, you can be convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI). That means if your BAC is even 0.01, you have violated California’s no tolerance policy and are responsible for any injury you cause to others while driving.

Five Things to do After Being Involved in a Car Accident in California

August 3, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

After being involved in a car accident, you may feel frazzled and disoriented. However, it is important to remain calm, assess the situation, and make sure you take the appropriate steps to ensure that you are safe and have the proper documentation in place to obtain any recovery for your injuries that you deserve. Make sure you take these five steps after being involved in a car accident, and call an experienced car accident attorney immediately so he or she can help you start seeking compensation for your injuries.

Examine yourself and your passengers for injuries.

The first thing you should do is examine yourself and others in your vehicle for any injuries. If there are any injuries whatsoever, make sure to call an ambulance immediately. Allow the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to examine you for injuries you may not be able to see, and if they advise you to go to the hospital, follow their recommendation even if you do not feel pain at the time. Oftentimes the impact from a car accident can cause underlying health issues to arise, and a doctor will be able to detect those underlying issues and provide a medical report with your diagnosis. By refusing to go to the hospital, you are showing a future court that you were not in fact injured by the car accident and thus are not entitled to recovery for your injuries.

Serious Injuries Result From a Hit and Run Pedal Cab Accident

June 29, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

On Wednesday, June 27, two people were seriously hurt when a car crashed into a pedal cab at Embarcadero and Sansome Street in San Francisco and fled the scene. A second pedal cab then crashed into the first pedal cab. The pedal cabs were carrying a family of four. Police are still investigating the case and searching for the car, which has been described as a light colored sedan.

If you were injured in a hit and run accident, do not wait to ask for legal help. The personal injury lawyers at Brod Law Firm have years of experience handling hit and run claims. By calling us, you will have an experienced attorney fighting for your rights. Contact Brod Law Firm online or call us at (800) 427-7020.

California Hit and Run Laws

CHP Vehicle Rear-Ended on I-80

May 4, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

On Monday, April 30, a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle was parked on the right shoulder of I-80 in Fairfield. It was struck from behind by a white Mitsubishi Mirage prior to 3:40 p.m. The Mitsubishi driver and two passengers, one seated in the back and the other in the front passenger seat, were all seriously injured and taken to a local hospital. The CHP officer suffered moderate injuries. The accident is currently under investigation. If the Mitsubishi driver is found to be at fault, then the injured parties may file a personal injury claim against the driver and their insurance policy.

If you were injured in a crash in California, do not hesitate to ask for legal help. The personal injury lawyers at Brod Law Firm have years of experience handling car accident claims. By calling us, you obtain an experienced and knowledgeable advocate who will fight hard for your right to compensation. Contact Brod Law Firm today online or by calling (800) 427-7020.

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents